Flexible pipe connection systems and methods

ABSTRACT

A system for transferring fluid from a pump to a manifold, the manifold having a plurality of fluid inlets. A first pump truck includes a first pump having a first fluid outlet. A first flexible pipe couples the first fluid outlet to a first fluid inlet. The first flexible pipe is self-supporting and forms an arch extending over the first pump truck. The first pump truck may include a second pump having a second fluid outlet and a second flexible pipe may couple the second fluid outlet to a second fluid inlet. A second pump truck may include third and fourth pumps having third and fourth fluid outlets, respectively, that may be coupled to third and fourth fluid inlets by third and fourth self-supporting flexible pipes.

BACKGROUND

In a well fracture system, high pressure fluids must be transmitted to awellbore. Systems for generating sufficient pressure are complex andgenerally involve distributing low pressure fluid from a manifold, alsoreferred to as a missile, to one or more pump trucks through lowpressure lines. The pump trucks pressurize the fluid and return the highpressure fluid to the manifold through high pressure lines. The highpressure fluid is delivered to one or more wellbores for use in downholeoperations such as fracturing.

SUMMARY

This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts that arefurther described below in the detailed description. This summary is notintended to identify key or essential features of the claimed subjectmatter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in limiting the scope ofthe claimed subject matter.

In one aspect, the present disclosure relates to a system fortransferring fluid from a pump to a manifold. The system may include amanifold having a plurality of fluid inlets and a first pump truckhaving first and second pumps. The first pump may include a first fluidoutlet and the second pump may include a second fluid outlet. A firstflexible pipe may couple the first fluid outlet to the first of theplurality of fluid inlets. A second flexible pipe may couple the secondfluid outlet to the second of the plurality of fluid inlets. The firstand second flexible pipes may be self-supporting and form an archextending over the first pump truck. The system may further include asecond pump truck having a third and fourth pump disposed thereon. Thethird pump may include a third fluid outlet and the fourth pump mayinclude a fourth fluid outlet. A third flexible pipe may couple thethird fluid outlet to a third of the plurality of fluid inlets and afourth flexible pipe may be configured to couple the fourth fluid outletto a fourth of the plurality of fluid inlets. The third and fourthflexible pipes may be self-supporting and may form an arch extendingover a space between the second pump truck and the manifold.

In another aspect, the present disclosure relates to a system fortransferring fluid to a wellbore. The system may include two or moresystems for transferring fluid from a pump to a manifold and a primarymanifold fluidly connected to and configured to receive fluid from eachof the manifolds of the two or more systems. An outlet of the primarymanifold may be fluidly connected, directly or indirectly, to thewellbore.

In another aspect, the present disclosure relates to a system fortransferring fluid from a pump to a manifold. The system may include amanifold having a first fluid inlet, a pump having a first fluid outlet,and a first flexible pipe having a first end coupled to the first fluidoutlet and a second end coupled to the first fluid inlet. The firstfluid inlet and the first fluid outlet may be upwardly orienting and thefirst flexible pipe may be self-supporting between the first and secondends.

In another aspect, the present disclosure relates to a method ofassembling a pumping system. The method may include locating a firstpump truck and a second pump truck proximate a manifold. The first pumptruck may include a first pump and the second pump truck may include asecond pump disposed thereon. The method may further include connectinga first end of a first flexible pipe to a first fluid inlet of themanifold and connecting a second end of the first flexible pipe to afluid outlet of the first pump thereby forming the first flexible pipein a first self-supporting arch between the first and second ends. Afirst end of a second flexible pipe may be connected to a second fluidinlet of the manifold and a second end of the second flexible pipe maybe connected to a fluid outlet of the second pump, thereby forming thesecond flexible pipe in a second self-supporting arch.

In yet another aspect, embodiments herein are directed toward a systemfor transferring fluid from a pump to a manifold. The system may includea manifold having a plurality of fluid inlets. A first pump truck may beprovided, having a pump disposed thereon, the pump including a fluidoutlet. The system may further include a flexible pipe fluidly coupledbetween the fluid outlet and a first of the plurality of fluid inlets,wherein the flexible pipe forms a downward concave arch extending overthe first pump truck and/or over a space between the first pump truckand the manifold. In some embodiments, the arched flexible pipe may beself-supporting between the pump outlet and the manifold inlet.

Other aspects and advantages will be apparent from the followingdescription and the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of pumping system in accordance with theprior art.

FIG. 2 is a side view of a connection system in accordance with theprior art.

FIGS. 3-10 are pumping systems in accordance with embodiments of thepresent disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described in detailwith reference to the accompanying Figures. Like elements in the variousfigures may be denoted by like reference numerals for consistency.Further, in the following detailed description of embodiments of thepresent disclosure, numerous specific details are set forth in order toprovide a more thorough understanding of the claimed subject matter.However, it will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art thatthe embodiments disclosed herein may be practiced without these specificdetails. In other instances, well-known features have not been describedin detail to avoid unnecessarily complicating the description.Additionally, it will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the artthat the scale of the elements presented in the accompanying Figures mayvary without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

As used herein, the term “coupled” or “coupled to” or “connected” or“connected to” may indicate establishing either a direct or indirectconnection, and is not limited to either unless expressly referenced assuch.

Referring to FIG. 1 , a pumping system 100 is shown. The pumping system100 includes a pump manifold 102 with inlet lines 104 for receiving lowpressure fluid into the pump manifold 102. The pump manifold 102distributes the low pressure fluid to a plurality of pump trucks 106through low pressure lines 108. Low pressure lines 108 are typicallypipe, flexible tubing, or hose, such as formed from rubber orelastomeric material. Pumps disposed on the pump trucks 106 pressurizethe fluid and return high pressure fluid to the pump manifold 102through high pressure lines 110. The high pressure lines 110 shown arerigid pipes formed by connecting multiple straight or angled rigid pipesections 112 using swivel joints 114. The rigid pipe sections 112 ofhigh pressure lines 110 can be formed from a metal material so as towithstand the high pressure of the fluid moving therethrough.

The high pressure lines 110 formed from rigid pipe sections 112 caninclude angles and redundancies to create an indirect path between aback end of the pump trucks 106 and the pump manifold 102. Such aconfiguration allows for some absorption of vibrations caused by thepumps or by other equipment on board the pump trucks, such as mixingequipment. Pump trucks 106 may, for example, include mixing equipmentfor mixing sand with a fluid to create a mixture, often called a slurry,used to fracture the formation and prop open the fractures. Oncepressurized, the high pressure fluid or slurry can be selectivelydelivered to a wellbore by controlling an isolation valve 116 betweenthe pump manifold 102 and the wellbore. Vibrations, bends, and contactwith the ground may cause erosion, corrosion, leaks, and other pipefailures.

Still referring to FIG. 1 , at least a portion of low pressure lines 108and high pressure lines 110 extending between the pump manifold 102 andpump trucks 106 can rest on the ground 118 in a space between the pumpmanifold 102 and the pump trucks 106. While this may allow forconvenient assembly of the pumping system 100, the final arrangement mayimpede access to the pump manifold or pump trucks by cluttering walkwayspace. Additionally, pump trucks 106 must be parked in specificlocations and orientations so that the rigid high pressure lines 110will reach an end connection on the pump trucks 106. In someconfigurations, the pump trucks 106 must be substantially equidistantfrom each other and arranged symmetrically or in a mirrored arrangementacross two sides of the pump manifold 102 defined by a center line 118.

FIG. 2 shows a side view schematic of a connection system 200 which usesflexible pipe to connect high pressure lines. A pump truck 202 isconnected to a high pressure inlet of manifold 204 via a flexibleconnection line 206. A portion of the line 206 rests on the ground 208.Flexible connection line 206 includes a first end 210 and a second end212. The first end 210 connects to a back of the pump truck 202 using afirst connector 214 and the second end 212 connects to the manifold 204using a second connector 216. First and second connectors 214, 216 canbe angled downwardly to facilitate the flexible connection line 206resting on the ground 208 and to prevent straining the material of theflexible connection line 206 by relieving high angles. In someembodiments, first and second connectors 214, 216 permit motion such asswiveling or rotating about an axis. This arrangement may place the highpressure flexible pipe in a walkway or workspace between the pump truck.Further, vibrations due to pumping may cause wear on an exterior of thepipe.

As described above, the use of rigid pipe to deliver high pressurefluids from a pump truck to a manifold provides several drawbacks,including multiple bends, pressure loss, pipe failure due to vibrationsand erosion, as well as a cluttered and inaccessible workspace, not tomention the back and hand injuries to workers installing and using rigidpipe. In contrast to such configurations, it has been found thatflexible pipe, suitable for delivering high pressure erosive fluids fromthe pumps to the manifold, when formed in a downward concave arch, mayprovide for efficient delivery of the high pressure fluids, reducedvibration between the pump and the manifold, reduced pressure drop,reduced leakage or failure events, and may provide a less cluttered andmore accessible workspace, improving the safety of those working in andaround it. Flexible pipe, as known to those skilled in the art, includespipes having multi-layered construction providing a high pressurecapacity while being flexible, and differs from hose or otherlow-pressure “flexible” conduits. One example of a flexible pipe usefulin embodiments herein may include that described in PCT/US2019/056987,among others. The arched flexible pipe may be, for example, fluidlycoupled to and disposed between a pump outlet and a manifold inlet, suchas in the form of a round arch, a round-headed or stilted arch, ahorseshoe arch, a rounded trefoil or cloverleaf arch, a parabolic arch,a catenary arch, an elliptical arch, or other forms of arches that mayprovide for a relatively smooth bending fluid pathway traversing upwardfrom the pump outlet or a connection thereto and downward to themanifold inlet or a connection thereto. As flexible pipes are relativelystiff, compared to hose, embodiments herein may provide for the flexiblepipes to be configured as a self-supporting arch fluidly connecting thepump outlet to the manifold inlet. The relative flexibility of theflexible pipe used in making the connection may influence theself-supporting capability as well as the preferred type of arch formedby the pipe and end connection angles. The use of an arched flexiblepipe to span the distance from the pump outlet to the fluid inlet mayprovide for the flexible pipe to span over walkways, over the pumptrucks themselves, or other advantageous configurations envisionable byone skilled in the art.

Referring now to FIGS. 3-7 , a pumping system according to embodimentsherein is shown. Pumping system 300 includes a first pump 302 disposedon a first pump truck 304. The first pump 302 includes a first fluidoutlet 306 through which high pressure fluid exits the pump 302. Thepumping system 300 further includes a manifold 308 having a first fluidinlet 310 for receiving high pressure fluid. A first flexible pipe 312having a first end 314 and a second end 316 transmits high pressurefluid between the pump 302 and the manifold 308. In particular, thefirst end 314 connects to the first fluid outlet 306 and the second end316 connects to the first fluid inlet 310 to allow high pressure fluidtransfer therebetween. The connections between the first and second ends314, 316 and first fluid outlet 306 and first fluid inlet 310,respectively, can include a clamp hub connection or other non-swivelingconnection. In some embodiments, an angled or non-straight connectioncan be used to couple the flexible pipe to one or more of the firstfluid outlet and the first fluid inlet.

In contrast to the pumping systems 100, 200 previously described, thefirst flexible pipe 312 may be essentially self-supporting between thefirst and second ends 314, 316 such that no portion of the firstflexible pipe 312 touches the ground. As noted above, the ability of aflexible pipe to be self-supporting between the pump outlet and themanifold inlet may depend on a number of factors, including pipevariables such as the pipe flexibility, pipe diameter (inner and outer),the manufacture components of the pipe (type and arrangement of armor orreinforcing layers, etc.), among others, as well as arch variables, suchas type of arch, arch radius, horizontal distance from the pump outletto the manifold inlet, and connection angle to the pump outlet ormanifold inlet, among others. Achieving an overall goal of elevating theflexible pipe may be accomplished in many embodiments without the needfor additional support. Some embodiments, however, may require a supportbracket, such as proximate the pump outlet or manifold inlet, tominimally support the upward/downward pipe sections, or along ahorizontal-spanning section of the arch, for example, to aid in formingand maintaining the arch during use. For example, a support or supportbracket may be used on or near the pump end to support the flexibleconnection to the pump outlet, supplementing and enabling the outletflange or outlet connection system to be able to support the additionalweight of the arched flexible pipe; the flexible pipe, however, maysupport the remainder of its own structure.

The first flexible pipe 312 can form an arch that extends upwardly fromthe two ends 314, 316 toward a center of the flexible pipe between thetwo ends. The arch of the first flexible pipe 312 can extend over thepump truck 304 as shown in FIG. 3 . Thus, configurations using aself-supporting flexible pipe to connect the first fluid outlet 306 offirst pump 302 to the first fluid inlet 310 of the manifold 308 canallow for new arrangements of pump trucks relative to the manifold andcan allow the pump trucks to park alongside and closer to the manifoldto reduce equipment footprint on site.

The pump truck 304 can include lateral sides 318 a, 318 b in addition toends 320 a, 320 b. Ends 320 a, 320 b can refer to bounds of the pumptruck nearest the back of the vehicle and nearest the front of thevehicle, respectively. The first fluid outlet 306 of first pump 302 canbe disposed on a lateral side 318 of the first pump truck 304. Inparticular, the first fluid outlet 306 can be disposed on lateral side318 a which is furthest from the manifold 308 when pump truck 304 isparked along a left side of the manifold 308 (right side of the pumptruck) as shown in FIG. 3 . The first flexible pipe 312 extends from thefirst fluid outlet 306 on lateral side 318 a over the pump truck 304 andother equipment disposed thereon to connect with first fluid inlet 310on the manifold 308. The first flexible pipe 312 does not contact theground or any other equipment between the first and second ends 314,316.

In some embodiments, multiple pumps may be included on each pump truck.For example, as shown in FIG. 3 , a second pump 322 may be included onthe first pump truck 304. The second pump 322 includes a second fluidoutlet 324 configured to be connected to a second fluid inlet 326 on themanifold 308 by a second flexible pipe 328. The second flexible pipe 328includes a first end 330 and a second end 332 configured to connect tothe second fluid outlet 324 and the second fluid inlet 326,respectively. The second fluid outlet 324 of second pump 322 is shown onthe same lateral side 318 a of the pump truck 304 as the first fluidoutlet 306; however, other arrangements are possible where the secondfluid outlet faces lateral side 318 b or one of ends 320 a, 320 b. Inthe configuration shown, the second flexible pipe 328 is self-supportingbetween first and second ends 330, 332, respectively, and forms an archextending over the pump truck 304 without touching the ground or anyother equipment between the first and second ends 330, 332. First andsecond low pressure lines 301, 303 may transfer low pressure fluid to atleast first and second pumps 302, 322, respectively.

In some fracturing operations, many pumps disposed on multiple pumptrucks may be required to deliver necessary fluid pressures and volumesto a wellbore. A second pump truck 334 may be provided to increasepumping capacity to the system. The second pump truck 334 may include athird pump 336 disposed thereon. The second pump truck 334 and thirdpump 336 may be substantially similar to first pump truck 304 and firstpump 302. The third pump 336 may include a third fluid outlet 338 whichis connected to a third fluid inlet 340 on manifold 308 by a thirdflexible pipe 342 having a first end 344 and a second end 346. The firstend 344 may connect to the third fluid outlet 338 and the second end 346may connect to the third fluid inlet 340. The third flexible pipe 342may be self-supporting between the two ends such that the third flexiblepipe 342 does not touch the ground or any other equipment along itslength.

The second pump truck 334 can include two lateral sides 362 a, 362 bgenerally extending between two ends 364 a, 364 b of the pump truck 334.Ends 362 a, 362 b can refer to bounds of the pump truck nearest the backof the vehicle and nearest the front of the vehicle, respectively. Thethird fluid outlet 338 of the third pump 336 may be disposed at or neara first lateral side 362 b of the second pump truck 334 nearest themanifold 308 when the second pump truck 334 is parked along a right sideof the manifold 308 as shown in FIG. 3 . In such a configuration, thethird flexible pipe 342 forms an arch between the first end 344 andsecond end 346 that spans a space 348 between the manifold 308 andsecond pump truck 334. In some embodiments, the space 348 may includewalkways used by workers on site to access various pieces of equipment.Using self-supporting flexible pipe forming arches in the air withouttouching the ground or other equipment removes potentially hazardousobstacles from walkways or access points used by workers in the field.

In some embodiments, additional pumps may be included on the second pumptruck. As shown in FIG. 3 , a fourth pump 350 is included on the secondpump truck 334. The fourth pump 350 includes a fourth fluid outlet 352configured to output high pressure fluid for delivery to a fourth fluidinlet 354 on the manifold 308 via a fourth flexible pipe 356. The fourthflexible pipe 356 includes a first end 358 and a second end 360configured to connect to the fourth fluid outlet 352 and the fourthfluid inlet 354, respectively. The portion of the fourth flexible pipe356 between the first and second ends 358, 360 is self-supporting anddoes not touch the ground, other equipment, or include any additionalexternal support. In the configuration shown, the fourth fluid outlet352 on the fourth pump 350 is on the lateral side 362 b nearest themanifold 308. As such, the fourth flexible pipe 356 does not cross overthe second pump truck 334 but does cross over the space 348 between thesecond pump truck 334 and the manifold 308 similar to the third flexiblepipe 342. This example demonstrates that pump trucks may be arrangedasymmetrically with respect to the manifold.

While the pumps disposed on the pump trucks are illustrated havingoutlets on a lateral side of the pump truck, other configurations arepossible. For example, pumps may be arranged on the pump truck such thatone or more fluid outlets are oriented toward an end of the pump truck.Depending on whether the truck is facing toward or away from themanifold, a self-supporting flexible pipe connecting the fluid outlet atthe end of a truck to a fluid inlet of a manifold may form an arch thatextends over the truck or over a space between the truck, respectively.

Pump trucks 302, 334 supply fluid to manifold 308. Manifold 308 feedsfluid to a missile 305 where fluid is selectively supplied to thewellbore. Additional pumps and/or pump trucks may be connected to themanifold 308, or to additional manifolds (not shown) that are fluidlyconnected to the missile 305, to provide additional fluid pumpingcapacity depending on the needs of the particular oilfield process. Ingeneral, the self-supporting flexible pipe arrangement disclosed hereinallows for pump truck and pump placement in a variety of configurationsrelative to the manifold. The flexible pipe can range in length betweenapproximately 10 feet and approximately 30 feet, such as 15 feet to 25feet in some embodiments. In some examples, the length of the flexiblepipe is around 20 feet. Depending upon the size (nominal pipe diameter,for example) and make-up (central conduit thickness, armoring layers,etc.) of the flexible pipe, the self-supporting length may be greater orless than the range noted above.

As discussed above, several pumps can be connected to a single manifold.A system using self-supporting flexible pipes to connect pumps to amanifold allows for a wider range of possible pump locations andorientations relative to the manifold. Referring to FIG. 8 , a diagram800 is shown to illustrate possible locations of the pump 802, and morespecifically, possible locations of the fluid outlet 804 on the pump802, relative to a fluid inlet 806 on the manifold 808. Aself-supporting flexible pipe 810 includes a first end 812 connected tothe fluid outlet 804 and a second end 814 connected to the fluid inlet806. The two ends 812, 814 of the flexible pipe 810 can be broughtcloser together by increasing the height of the arch formed therebetweenand increasing the amount of curvature in the flexible pipe.Alternatively, the two ends 812, 814 can be spaced further apart bydecreasing the height of the arch and causing the arch to become moreflat. There exists an inner radius 816 representing an inner limit ofthe possible locations of fluid outlet 804 for a flexible pipe of givenlength and material. Bringing the two ends 812, 814 closer than thedistance 816 may cause the flexible pipe to crease or otherwise fail.There also exists an outer radius 818 representing an outer limit of thepossible locations of fluid outlet 804 for a flexible pipe of givenlength and material. Extending the two ends 812, 814 beyond the distance818 may stretch the pipe or flatten the arch to an extent beyond whichit is able to support itself. Thus, a range of locations 820 exists forwhich a fluid outlet position may be accommodated by the flexible pipe810. The range 820 may be restricted by the location of the manifolditself, represented by line 822.

As noted above, the use of arched flexible pipes may provide someflexibility in equipment layout. Various example layouts are illustratedin FIGS. 9 and 10 , where like numerals represent like parts. Eachlayout includes a first pump truck 902A/B and a second pump truck 904feeding a manifold 906. The manifolds 906 may include inlets 912, whichmay be arranged in series, as in FIG. 9 , in parallel, as in FIG. 10 ,or a combination thereof. The pump trucks 902A/B may include one, two,or more pumps 910, a fluid outlet of each of which may be connected to arespective inlet 912 of the manifold by an arched flexible pipe 914. Themanifold may receive fluid from each of the pumps 910 and may thentransport the fluid via a trunkline 916, such as to a larger manifold ora downstream operation. Depending upon the orientation of the trailersand the pumps, the arched flexible pipes may be disposed from the pumpover a walkway between the pump trucks 902A, 904 and the manifold 906,or over the pump truck 902B and a walkway, as illustrated in FIG. 10 .As the flexible pipes 914 may be disposed over the pump truck itself,the arrangement of the equipment on the pump truck itself may be inessentially any configuration, with the pump being locatable in anyportion of the trailer, so long as there is sufficient access to thepump outlet so as to enable forming of the arch with the flexible pipe.In other words, the configuration of the pump truck, location of pumpsrelative to the manifold, and other variables that would otherwise needto be considered when coordinating arrangement of the pump trucks in thesystem may be relaxed when arched flexible pipe is used in accordancewith embodiments herein.

In addition to providing equipment layout flexibility and reducingtripping hazards by clearing the ground of obstacles, the use of archedand, in some embodiments, self-supporting, flexible pipes also helps toreduce vibrations within the system. The arched flexible pipe is able tomove in the air as fluid is pumped therethrough and the motion of theflexible pipe dampens vibrations that would otherwise be transmittedthroughout the system by a rigid pipe. This feature may improvereliability of components within the pumping system by reducingvibration-induced stresses. The reduced vibrations may also allow pumpsto run at higher revolutions per minute for longer periods of time.

Further advantages of flexible pipe connections are realized due to thesmooth arch formed between the two ends. The smooth arch reduces stressconcentrations and pipe erosion compared to the many stressconcentrations created by various angles and turns required in a rigidpipe connection. The reduced stress and erosion may contribute to bettersystem reliability. Additionally, the smooth arch and lack of angles orredundancies in the connection reduces fluid pressure drop from the pumpoutlet to the manifold inlet. This is particularly advantageous as ithelps deliver high pressure fluid needed for various downhole operationswithout overworking pump equipment.

As discussed previously, rigid pipes typically include various segmentsand joints that must be assembled to meet up and connect with a back endof a pump truck where high pressure fluid will be delivered to the pipefrom the pump via an intermediate connector on board the pump truck.This assembly process is time consuming, especially when several pumptrucks are involved, as shown in FIG. 1 . Additionally, because of thespatial constraints of the truck position, rigid pipes are not connecteddirectly to pump outlets. The intermediate connector must transfer fluidfrom the pump toward the back of the pump truck and connect to the rigidpipe. This additional componentry occupies valuable space on board apump truck.

In contrast, the arched flexible pipe can be quickly and easilyconnected to a fluid outlet on a pump using, for example, clamp hubconnections. The connectors may be parallel, angled, non-straight, or90-degree connectors. This significantly reduces set up and assemblytime and also allows for more efficient use of space available on a pumptruck by eliminating the need for extraneous intermediate connectors orsupport bracketry for most, and possibly all, embodiments herein. Theflexible pipe extends in an upward direction from the fluid outlet onthe pump and from the fluid inlet on the manifold, thereby forming anarch shape. While horizontal connectors may be used, angled connectorshaving an angle greater than 30 degrees from horizontal may reducestrain on the flexible pipe and facilitate forming an arch shape. Insome embodiments, the angled connectors may have an angle between 30-45degrees, 45-60 degrees, or 60-90 degrees from horizontal. As usedherein, “horizontal” and “vertical” are relative to the ground,especially that around the location of the pump truck, as would bereadily understood by one skilled in the art.

Connecting the arched flexible pipe to a pump and manifold may includesteps such as executing a two point lift to pick up the flexible pipe,allowing the flexible pipe to drape downward from the two ends in adownward or upside-down “u” shape, supporting the flexible pipe using acrane and moving the flexible pipe to the installation location. Oncethe flexible pipe is near the installation location, a first end ismanipulated to align with a mounting point on a pump outlet or on anintermediate connector, and the first end is connected with the pumpoutlet or intermediate connector. A second end of the flexible pipe ismanipulated to align with a mounting point on a manifold inlet or anintermediate connector and the second end is connected to the manifoldinlet or intermediate connector. Fastening the flexible pipe to thepump, manifold, or intermediate connectors may include fastening aclamp. The intermediate connectors may be straight or angled. At thispoint, the two ends are lower than the center portion of the flexiblepipe so that the flexible pipe is formed into an arch. Manpower may beapplied in the alignment and connection of the first and second endswith the pump outlet and manifold inlet, respectively or intermediateconnectors therebetween; however, all lifting effort may be provided bythe crane. When connected to the inlet and the outlet, the flexible pipemay be self-supporting, and the crane may be disconnected from theflexible pipe.

While various configurations of pumping systems have been described withrespect to a limited number of embodiments, those skilled in the art,having benefit of this disclosure, will appreciate that otherembodiments can be devised which do not depart from the scope of thepresent disclosure. Accordingly, the scope of the disclosure should belimited only by the attached claims.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A system for transferring fluid, the systemcomprising: a manifold having a plurality of fluid inlets; a first pumptrailer having a first pump and a second pump disposed thereon, whereinthe first pump comprises a first fluid outlet and the second pumpcomprises a second fluid outlet, and wherein the first fluid outlet andthe second fluid outlet are positioned along a lateral side of the firstpump trailer opposite from the manifold; a first flexible pipeconfigured to couple the first fluid outlet to a first of the pluralityof fluid inlets; a second flexible pipe configured to couple the secondfluid outlet to a second of the plurality of fluid inlets, wherein thefirst and second flexible pipes are self-supporting and form an archextending over the first pump trailer; a second pump trailer having athird pump and a fourth pump disposed thereon, wherein the third pumpcomprises a third fluid outlet and the fourth pump comprises a fourthfluid outlet; a third flexible pipe configured to couple the third fluidoutlet to a third of the plurality of fluid inlets; and a fourthflexible pipe configured to couple the fourth fluid outlet to a fourthof the plurality of fluid inlets, wherein the third and fourth flexiblepipes are self-supporting and form an arch extending over a spacebetween the second pump trailer and the manifold.
 2. A system fortransferring fluid to a wellbore, the system comprising: two or moresystems for transferring fluid from a pump to the manifold as claimed inclaim 1; a primary manifold fluidly connected to and configured toreceive fluid from each of the manifolds of the two or more systems; andwherein an outlet of the primary manifold is fluidly connected, directlyor indirectly, to the wellbore.
 3. A system for transferring fluid, thesystem comprising: a manifold having a first fluid inlet positionedalong a first lateral side of the manifold, wherein the first lateralside of the manifold faces in a first direction; a first pumpcomprising: multiple sides comprising a first pump side facing in adirection opposite the first direction; and a first fluid outletpositioned along one of the multiple sides different than the first pumpside; and a first flexible pipe comprising a first end coupled to thefirst fluid outlet and a second end coupled to the first fluid inlet,wherein the first flexible pipe extends in an upward direction from thefirst fluid inlet and from the first fluid outlet or an intermediateconnector thereto, and wherein the first flexible pipe isself-supporting between the first and second ends.
 4. The system ofclaim 3, wherein the first flexible pipe forms a first arch between thefirst and second ends.
 5. The system of claim 3, wherein a length of thefirst flexible pipe is between about 10 feet and about 30 feet.
 6. Thesystem of claim 3, wherein the first pump is disposed on a first pumptrailer, the first fluid outlet being along a lateral side of the firstpump trailer.
 7. The system of claim 4, wherein the first arch formed bythe first flexible pipe extends over the first pump trailer.
 8. Thesystem of claim 4, further comprising: a second pump disposed on thefirst pump trailer, the second pump comprising a second fluid outlet;and a second flexible pipe having a third end coupled to the secondfluid outlet and a fourth end coupled to a second fluid inlet on themanifold, wherein the second flexible pipe is self-supporting and formsa second arch between the third and fourth ends, and wherein the secondarch extends over the first pump trailer.
 9. The system of claim 3,further comprising: a third pump disposed on a second pump trailer, thethird pump comprising a third fluid outlet; and a third flexible pipecomprising a fifth end coupled to the third fluid outlet and a sixth endcoupled to a third fluid inlet of the manifold, wherein the thirdflexible pipe is self-supporting and forms a third arch between thefifth and sixth ends, and wherein the third arch bridges a space betweenthe second pump trailer and the manifold.
 10. The system of claim 3,wherein the first end of the first flexible pipe is coupled to the firstfluid outlet of the first pump with a non-straight connection, andwherein the first end of the first flexible pipe is coupled to the firstfluid outlet of the first pump with a clamp configured to preventswiveling between the first fluid outlet and the first end of the firstflexible pipe.
 11. A method of assembling a pumping system comprising:locating a first pump trailer proximate a manifold, such that a firstside of the first pump trailer is relatively closer to the manifold thanremaining sides of the first pump trailer, wherein the first pumptrailer comprises a first pump disposed thereon, and wherein the firstpump has a first fluid outlet positioned along one of the remainingsides of the first pump trailer; connecting a first end of a firstflexible pipe to a first fluid inlet of the manifold; and connecting asecond end of the first flexible pipe to the first fluid outlet of thefirst pump thereby forming the first flexible pipe in a first archbetween the first and second ends, wherein at least one of the firstarch is and the second arch are self-supporting.
 12. The method of claim11, wherein connecting the first end of the first flexible pipe to thefirst fluid inlet of the manifold comprises fastening the first end ofthe first flexible pipe to a first connector intermediate the firstflexible pipe and the first fluid inlet of the manifold.
 13. The methodof claim 12, wherein fastening the first end of the first flexible pipeto the first connector comprises fastening a first clamp connection. 14.The method of claim 11, wherein connecting the second end of the firstflexible pipe to the first fluid outlet of the first pump comprisesfastening the second end of the first flexible pipe to a secondconnector intermediate the first flexible pipe and the outlet of thefirst pump.
 15. The method of claim 14, wherein fastening the second endof the first flexible pipe to the second connector comprises fastening asecond clamp connection.
 16. The method of claim 11, wherein the firstarch extends upwardly over the first pump trailer.
 17. A system fortransferring, the system comprising: a manifold having a plurality offluid inlets; a first pump trailer having a pump disposed thereon,wherein the first pump comprises a fluid outlet located along a side ofthe first pump trailer farthest from the manifold; a flexible pipefluidly coupled between the fluid outlet and a first of the plurality offluid inlets, wherein the flexible pipe forms a downward concave archextending over the first pump trailer, wherein each of the flexible pipepipes forming a downward concave arch is self-supporting.
 18. The systemof claim 17, the system further comprising: a second pump trailer havinganother pump disposed thereon, wherein the another pump comprises afluid outlet; a second flexible pipe fluidly coupled between the fluidoutlet of the another pump and another of the plurality of fluid inlets,wherein the second flexible pipe forms a downward concave arch extendingover the second pump trailer and/or over a space between the second pumptrailer and the manifold.
 19. The system of claim 17, wherein the firstpump trailer has the first pump and a second pump disposed thereon, thesecond pump fluidly connected to another of the plurality of fluidinlets via a second flexible pipe, wherein the second flexible pipeforms an arch extending over the first pump trailer and/or over a spacebetween the first pump truck and the manifold.